ATC Immediate & Emergency Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing circulation in a primary survey, what is the rate and depth for adult chest compressions per current AHA guidelines?
- 80-100/min at 1.5 inches
- 100-120/min at least 2 inches (Correct answer)
- 60-80/min at least 2.5 inches
- 120-140/min at 1 inch
Correct answer: 100-120/min at least 2 inches
Current AHA guidelines specify chest compressions at 100-120 per minute with a depth of at least 2 inches in adults.
Question 2: A wrestler has a suspected closed femur fracture. Which assessment finding would indicate neurovascular compromise?
- Ecchymosis over the thigh
- Absent dorsalis pedis pulse (Correct answer)
- Tenderness on palpation
- Crepitus with movement
Correct answer: Absent dorsalis pedis pulse
An absent distal pulse indicates vascular compromise and is a limb-threatening emergency requiring immediate EMS activation.
Question 3: An athlete experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure for more than 5 minutes should be managed with which priority intervention?
- Restrain limbs to prevent injury
- Activate EMS immediately (Correct answer)
- Insert a bite block between teeth
- Pour water on the face to stop the seizure
Correct answer: Activate EMS immediately
Status epilepticus (seizure >5 minutes) is a medical emergency requiring immediate EMS activation for pharmacologic intervention.
Question 4: A soccer player takes an elbow to the chest and develops sudden sharp pleuritic chest pain with decreased breath sounds on the left. What is the suspected diagnosis?
- Myocardial contusion
- Pneumothorax (Correct answer)
- Rib fracture without complication
- Costochondritis
Correct answer: Pneumothorax
Sudden sharp chest pain with unilateral decreased breath sounds following blunt trauma is the classic presentation of pneumothorax.
Question 5: Which finding is MOST concerning during secondary assessment of a head-injured athlete?
- Mild headache rated 3/10
- Unequal pupils (anisocoria) (Correct answer)
- Brief retrograde amnesia
- Nausea without vomiting
Correct answer: Unequal pupils (anisocoria)
Unequal pupils suggest increased intracranial pressure or herniation, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate EMS.
Question 6: A lacrosse athlete with a known penicillin allergy is stung by a wasp. After administering epinephrine 0.3 mg IM, symptoms persist after 5 minutes. What is the next action?
- Administer antihistamine as definitive treatment
- Administer a second epinephrine dose and activate EMS if not done (Correct answer)
- Place in Trendelenburg position only
- Apply a tourniquet above the sting site
Correct answer: Administer a second epinephrine dose and activate EMS if not done
A second dose of epinephrine can be given 5-15 minutes after the first if symptoms persist, and EMS should be activated immediately.
Question 7: During a football game in high heat and humidity, an athlete collapses. The AT finds the athlete conscious, with profuse sweating and muscle cramps but normal mentation. What is this condition?
- Exertional heat stroke
- Heat exhaustion (Correct answer)
- Hyponatremia
- Exercise-associated muscle cramping only
Correct answer: Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion presents with heavy sweating, weakness, and cramps but preserved mental status, differentiating it from heat stroke.
ATC Immediate & Emergency Care 3
When assessing circulation in a primary survey, what is the rate and depth for adult chest compressions per current AHA guidelines?